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Medical research firms, universities and local government organisations are also among those tracked by sophisticated networks of hackers. Security sources said "cyber actors" linked to China, Russia and Iran were behind the sick plots, with more attacks expected over the coming weeks as gangs attempt to steal "intelligence that aligns with national priorities". Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said yesterday: "It is completely unacceptable that malicious cyber actors are targeting those working to overcome the coronavirus pandemic around the world, from experts working on the global health response to hospitals and healthcare systems. The effects of these cyber attacks are potentially life-threatening as they disrupt and put pressure on organisations and individuals working hard to save lives.

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"The UK will continue to counter those who conduct reckless cyber attacks for their own malicious ends. We are working closely with our allies to hold the perpetrators to account and deter further malicious cyber activity around the world."

The Foreign Secretary warned of "hostile states" and criminal gangs exploiting the coronavirus crisis for fraud and espionage. Mr Raab said the "vast majority" of nations have come together to defeat Covid-19, but some will always "seek to exploit a crisis for their own criminal and hostile ends".

While he did not name any countries, his remarks were seen to be a thinly veiled warning at China and Russia. He added: "We have clear evidence now that these criminal gangs are actively targeting national and international organisations which are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, which I have to say makes them particularly dangerous.

"Our teams have identified campaigns targeting healthcare bodies, pharmaceutical companies, research organisations and various different arms of local government.

"There are various objectives and motivations that lie behind these attacks from fraud on one hand to espionage, but they tend to be designed to steal bulk personal data, intellectual property and wider information that supports those aims."

The National Cyber Security Centre said state hacking groups "frequently target organisations in order to collect bulk personal information, intellectual property and intelligence that aligns with national priorities".

A spokesman said: "For example, actors may seek to obtain intelligence on national and international healthcare policy or acquire sensitive data on Covid-19 research."

Oxford University has already begun testing a vaccine. Scientists at Imperial College London are also seeking a vaccine which they hope to begin testing on humans in June.

Tobias Ellwood, chair of the Defence Select Committee, last night slammed Russia and China for failing to back international efforts to find a vaccine.

He told the Daily Express: "UK efforts to help pool international vaccine research could help expedite an exit to Covid-19.

"But China and Russia's absence from this coalition sadly confirms we are in direct global competition to secure a vaccine. Both countries seek the prestige and vast power that will accompany the first vaccine procurement and are already proving the extremes they are willing to go to succeed - or ensure we fail.

"The world is distracted by this pandemic. Let's not lose sight. These are dangerous times. We must watch our backs and be prepared to proportionately retaliate if subjected to any form of cyber attack."

Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told the Daily Express: "You'll have heard about the absurd comments from the Chinese ambassador, saying we are trying to recreate the Cold War.

"They are trying to threaten and bully everyone. Their sole purpose is to destabilise the West.

"The Foreign Secretary is right to raise this. We know it is going on.

"They have been completely uncooperative about coronavirus, bullied doctors who tried to speak out about it, refused to give information about the spread of the virus, and played stupid games."

Paul Chichester, National Cyber Security Centre director of operations, said: "Protecting the healthcare sector is the first and foremost priority at this time, and we're working closely with the NHS to keep their systems safe.

"By prioritising any requests for support from health organisations and remaining in close contact with industries involved in the coronavirus response, we can inform them of any malicious activity and take the necessary steps to help them defend against it.

Hackers have been using 'password spraying' (Image: Westend61/Getty Images)

"But we can't do this alone, and we recommend healthcare policy makers and researchers take our actionable steps to defend themselves from password spraying campaigns." Hackers have been using "password spraying", where common and frequently used passwords are keyed in to gain access.

Security agencies said staff should change obvious or common passwords to ones created with three random words and implement two-factor authentication.

Tehran, Beijing and Moscow have all repeatedly denied conducting offensive cyber operations and claim they are the victims of such attacks themselves.

ANALYSIS BY JOHN INGHAM, DEFENCE EDITOR

If ever there was a time for global unity it is now - while the whole world is fighting a deadly pandemic.

And if ever there was any doubt that we are locked into a sinister new Cold War, we now have the evidence.

Hackers likely to be backed by Russia, China and Iran have been trying to steal coronavirus research from British universities and institutions, the National Cyber Security Centre says. The race is on to find a vaccine and the winning lab could potentially earn billions. No surprise then that foreign states and criminal gangs want to get their hands on any information that could give them the edge. The fact that Chinese hackers are thought to be involved is particularly offensive.

But there is far more to this than just following the money. This is also all about disrupting the West, kicking it while it is down. It is no different to President Putin testing our defences and reactions with incursions by his bombers and warships.

State-backed hacking does much the same, requiring resources that could be better used elsewhere.

Hacking into universities, firms and governments is part of what strategists like to call hybrid warfare, where an enemy uses a range of covert, non-military methods.

These include fake news, lawfare - pursuing soldiers through the courts - meddling in elections and cyber attacks. These options all operate below the threshold that would normally risk all-out war.

The beauty of hacking as a tactic is that tracking down precisely who has carried it out is often impossible.

It is another pressure on the Defence Budget which has been slashed dramatically since the end of the last Cold War.

It is time for a rethink. In the new Cold War, defence of the realm includes having better hackers than your enemies.